Funders: Environment Canada, Province of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, TransCanada, ConocoPhillips, Government of Alberta, Province of British Columbia, Government of Nova Scotia, Government of Ontario, Shell, Spectra Energy and Suncor

International negotiations on the future of the global climate regime are moving forward, with critical decisions on the design and content of a new agreement expected in the near future. Canada has a significant stake in the outcomes of these negotiations. It has one of the strongest economies in the world, is a major energy producer and exporter, and is experiencing some of the most dramatic changes in climatic conditions as the Earth's average temperature rises.

To influence the design of a post-2012 climate regime, Canada needs to prepare for and engage in international discussions within and outside the United Nations. Effective engagement requires an understanding of national, regional, and sectoral priorities and circumstances within Canada that will influence the country's objectives for and perspectives on a future regime. It also requires understanding the interests and priorities of other countries and their potential responses to Canadian positions.

To respond to these needs, in October 2006 IISD launched a two-year dialogue process on Canada's role in climate change policy post 2012. The Canadian Options for Post-2012 dialogue process included the federal government, provinces, individual companies and civil society representatives, and involved discussion and analysis of:

Canadian interests and concerns, to assist in bringing a Canadian perspective to international discussions.

Emerging approaches to post-2012 climate change cooperation, both mid term (2012 to 2025) and longer term (2025 2050).

Various existing and emerging national forums and initiatives that will influence action on climate change.

The dialogue project aimed to build international understanding of key Canadian sensitivities and Canadian understanding of international perspectives concerning the emerging climate change regime.

The two-year dialogue process was launched in October 2006 with a national workshop that assisted in the identification of areas of interest for further research and discussion. Research and discussion then took place on national and regional priorities and circumstances and evolving international perspectives and initiatives. It culminated in a national conference, A Way Forward: Canadian and International Perspectives on Post-2012 Climate Policy, held in March 2008.

Project Outputs

A Way Forward: Canadian Perspectives on Post-2012 Climate Policy (PDF - 2 MB)
Published in May 2008 This report assessed the four pillars of a post-2012 climate regime—mitigation, adaptation, technology, and financing and investment—from a Canadian perspective. These issues form the basis of the Bali Action Plan and have emerged as critical components of post-Bali discussions. The analysis aimed to help set the groundwork for discussions in Canada and internationally, examining how these key areas might be incorporated in a post-2012 agreement in light of Canadian interests and perspectives.

International Climate Change Policy Scenarios (PDF - 384 KB)
Published in February 2008 This paper set out five broad policy scenarios on addressing climate change in the post-2012 world. The scenarios represented possible policy architectures that could be discussed in international negotiations, and they looked at how the various approaches might unfold, with a particular emphasis on what that might mean for Canada. The qualitative analysis of these scenarios included the criteria of environmental integrity, economic and competitiveness aspects, incentives for financing, political feasibility and Canadian interests.

International Developments on Climate Change: Emerging Trends and Avenues for Influence and Collaboration (PDF - 337 KB)
Published in January 2007 This paper examined the outcomes of various international initiatives (inside and outside the United Nations), emerging international processes and their implications for Canadian interests in discussions about post-2012 climate policy. It also provided an assessment of the positions of key countries and the views of the international community on unique Canadian circumstances and priorities to help inform our negotiators of anticipated responses to proposed positions.

the establishment of an effective international carbon market over the long term; and

the integration of adaptation in development and natural resource management decision-making.

Full and summary versions of each of the four discussion papers, as well as a compilation of the full papers in a single volume, are available for download.

Canada in a Post-2012 World (2005)
This publication explored Canadian and international perspectives on establishing a sustainable, global regime for climate change action. It provided a set of analytical tools to help frame Canadian perspectives on the range of international options being considered for a post-Kyoto world and an initial assessment of how Canadian sensitivities and perspectives might be received by critical parties in the global community. One common theme that emerged is that Canada needs to respond in a meaningful way that helps position the country as a leader in a clean energy future.

Key Publication

Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) are becoming a key vehicle for helping developing countries self-identify and plan their transition to low-emission futures. Transforming the growing number of NAMA concepts and proposals into implemented projects, however, is proving to be challenging due to the difficulty in accessing needed financing. To help operationalize NAMAs, the International Institute for Sustainable Development has produced an easy-to-use guide to help practitioners successfully identify and prioritize financeable NAMAs.